Twisted paper thread and method of and apparatus for twisting the same



Oct. 25, 1949. E. E. LAMBERT 2,486,037

TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME RA/E51- E. LAMBERT )MQW ATTORNEY Oct. 25, v E E. LAMBERT TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD OF'AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME Filed Nov. 16, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A T TORNE Y Oct. 25, 1949.

X Filed Nov 1e, '194e E. E. LAMBERT TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD OF AED 7 sheets-smet `5 i APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME A TTC/PNE?? Oct 25, 1949- E. E. LAMBERT 2,486,037

l TWISTED PAPER IHREAD AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME Filed Nov. 16, 1946' '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNE Y Oct. 25, 1949. E. E. LAMBERT l 2,485,037

' TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME Filed Nov. 1s', 194e INVENTOR. E12/VESTE. AMBER-r BMZM Oct. 25, 1949.

`Fi1ed Nov. 1e, 194e 103 10s H4 H4 il -110 *715 101 111 110/ HIM 115 l i l l l i I 11'/ l v l I il /11118 if E'. E. LAMBERT TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME 7 SheetSr-Sheet 6 /NVENTOR ffm/575. Anf/,SERT

M@ d M A T TORNE Y Oct. 25, 1949. E. E. LAMBERT 2,486,037

TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD OF AND l APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME v 7 Sheets-Shea?I 7 Filed' Nov. 16,\1946 /NVEN To@ ERA/55T E. LAMBERT ATTO/PNE Y Patented Oct. 25, 1949 TWISTED PAPER THREAD AND METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING THE SAME Ernest E. Lambert, Springfield, Mass., assig'nor to Patchogue-Plymouth Mills Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 16, 1946, Serial No. 710,302

19 Claims.

This invention relates to twisted paper thread, and to a method of, and apparatus for, twisting the same. The method and apparatus are particularly applicable to the manufacture of variegated thread-s from paper ribbons of different colors, which threads are subsequently used in the manufacture of textiles, particularly woven paper-fibre rugs, such as are disclosed generally in my co-pending application, now Patent U. S. 2,418,215, issued April 1, 1947.

Heretofore, paper-fibre threads have been formed by twisting paper ribbons together in a twisting machine to fashion a paper thread. Threads of solid color have been formed by twisting ribbons of colored paper. When two paper ribbons of different colors are twisted together, a pencil striped thread is produced.

The use of paper-fibre threads in solid colors and in pencil stripes, necessarily limits the weavers art in the fabrication of textile fabrics, and more particularly woven paper-fibre rugs, to conventional patterns and optical effects, thus limiting the character of the designs and patterns of the textile fabrics which can be woven with the said paper-nbre threads.

One object of this invention is to substantially increa-se the usefulness of paper-fibre threads.

, Another object is a variegated paper-fibre thread which can be woven into a large variety of novel design eiects.

Another object is a variegated paper-fibre thread which can be so woven as to enhance the appearance of the designs and patterns of the resulting textile fabric.

Another object is an improved construction of colored paper thread.

Another object is anew method of twisting paper ribbons together to produce a paper thread of improved construction.

Another object is an improved method of twisting ribbons of colored paper together to produce a variegated paper thread.

Another object is a machine for carrying out my improved method.

Another object is a machine for manufacturing twisted paper thread embodying my improved construction.

Another object is a paper twisting machine of few and simple parts, which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easily assembled, and very efiicient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there has been disclosed in the accompanying drawings by way of example, one suggested form in which the invention may be conveniently embodied in practice.

In the drawings consisting of seven sheets of seventeen figures, number Figs. 1 to 17, inclusive:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a portion of one side of 2 a twisting frame showing iive separate paper twisting spindles; l

Fig. 2 is an end view of a portion of the twisting frame;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a twisting frame taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal cross-sectional views of the oppositev ends of a twisting frame, taken along a line substantially as indicated by the line ll-lt of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a front view partly in cross section of the thread twisting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the mechanism of Fig. 6, also partly in cross section;

Fig. 8 is a blown up longitudinal view of a portion of a twisted thread embodying my improved construction;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of a fragment of a guide bar;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a fragment of a die carrier bar;

Figs. 11, l2 and 13 are fragmentary views showing the guide bar and the die in various positions;

Figs. 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams of the paper-ribbon twisting operation;

Fig. 16 is a blown up cross-sectional view of the twisted thread taken along the line i6-|6 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows, and;

Fig. 17 is a blown up cross-sectional view of the twisted thread taken along the line il-7 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The twisting machine includes the usual twisting frame comprising a lower section or pedestal 2S) formed by a series of horizontally spaced lower end castings 2 i 21a, etc., which are braced by the die shelves 22. 22a. (Fics. 2 and 3). A series-of lower dies 23 and 23d are bolted to the top of the die shelves 22 and 22a at horizontally spaced intervals. The twisting frame also includes an upper section 24 (Fig. 2) formed by a series of upper end castings 25 (Fig. 1) which are also braced at spaced intervals by the top shelves 26 and 26a. As best shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the twisting machine is preferably arranged for dual operation.

The holed ears 21 and 21a are cast as an integral part of each upper end casting 25. The end castings 25 are mounted with their holed ears 2l in horizontal alignment to accommodate the smooth guide rods 28 and 28a.

The brackets 29 and 30 are bolted at 3| to, or otherwise mounted upon, suitable braces 32 and 33 (Fig. 3) which extend the length of the twisting frame .to further brace the lower end castings 2|, 21a, etc., of the pedestal 20. The upper end of each bracket 29 and 30 may be provided with a hub for accommodating the spindles 34 and 35 whereon the cheeses or rolls 36 and 31 of paper ribbon are removably mounted for` free rotation to allow the rolls 36. and 31 to unwind and feed their paper ribbons 38 and 39 over the guide rods 28-28a to the die mechanism and the spinners 91 and 291 of the twisting machine. 'I'he spindles 34 and 35 may be screwed together through the hubs of the brackets 29 and 36, and may be enlarged at their free ends with an annular flange or shoulder to prevent the rolls 36 and 31 from slipping off their spindles.

Similarly, the brackets 40 and 4| may be bolted at 42 and 42a (Fig. 2) to the top shelves 26 and 26a respectively. These brackets may also be provided with hubs adapted to receive the twin spindles 43-43 and 43a43a which screw into the opposite sides of the hubs oftheir respective brackets and may be enlarged at their free ends to form annular anges to prevent the rolls 44, 45, 46 and 41 from slipping off their respective spindles. i

The number of spindles to be associated with each die mechanism will vary according to the number of paper ribbons to be twisted into the thread. Ordinarily the twisted thread will consist of at least three paper ribbons twisted together, hence brackets having sufcient spindles to accommodate at least three rolls of paper ribbon should be provided for each die mechanism. To insure continuous operation of the twisting mechanism it will be found advantageous to equip each die or spinner position with an extra spindle so that the operator can set up a new roll and be ready to replace a roll which is nearly exhausted before its associated paper ribbon runs out. Such an arrangement also leaves both hands free to splice in new paper ribbon Without stopping the machine.

Mounted in any suitable manner upon the top of the lower end'castings 2| are the adjustable brackets 48 and 49 '(Fig. 2). These brackets may be of any preferred shape, but in the drawings a pair of U-shaped brackets are shown, which may be adjustably secured by the bolts 58 and 50a to their respective plates 5| or 52, which are bolted at 53 and 53a to the end casting 2|. The brackets 48 and 49'form a suitable support for the driving heads 54 and 55 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5)A which consist of the worm gears 56 and 51 (Figs. 4 and 5) meshing with the toothed gears 58 and 59. The shafts 60 and 6| of the worm gears 56 and 51 are journalled in suitable bearings. The pulleys 62 and 63 which are keyed to the shafts 60 and 6|, are driven by the endless belts 64 and 65 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) which pass around the twin pulleys 66-66a and 266- 26Go keyed on the common shafts 61 and 261 the ends whereof are respectively journalled in the hubs of suitable bracket bearing 68 and 268 (Fig. 2) which are bolted at 69 and 269 to the front and rear upper end castings 25--25.

The conventional twisting frame is of the dual type and is equipped with two rows of spinners 91 and 291, one arranged along the front and the other along the rear of the twisting frame. All of the spinner mechanism may be driven from one common drive shaft, or the front and rear sides or sections may be driven separately, so that one side of the twisting frame may be operated independently of the other. In the drawings a twisting frame of the dual type with each side independently driven is shown. It consists essentially of two independently driven main drive shafts 12 and 212 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) extending lengthwise of the machine in parallel spaced relation. Each shaft is journalled at spaced intervals in Babbitt or other suitable bearings carried by the spaced lower end castings 2|-2|a. etc., of the pedestal 20.

A main drive pulley 1| is keyed tothe main drive shaft 12 (Figs. 5 and 2) while a free pulley 1|a is also carried by the shaft 12. A suitable main drive belt and belt shifter (not shown) couples the main drive pulley 1| to a suitable main drive shaft which may be of the overhead type. The main drive shaft 12 may (if preferred) be driven by means of an electric motor, or in any other way.

Similarly, a main drive pulley 21| is keyed to the main drive shaft 212 (Figs. 4 and 2) while a free pulley 21|a is also carried by the shaft 212. A suitable main drive belt and belt shifter (not shown) may be used to couple the main drive pulley 21| to a suitable main drive shaft which may also be of the overhead type.

vFor convenience of operation the main drive pulleys 1| and 21| may be keyed to their respective shafts 12 and 212 at opposite ends of the twisting frame (compare Figs. 2, 4 and 5). The twin pulleys |44 and |44a. are keyed to main shaft 12 (Fig. 4) and the twin pulleys 244 and 244a are keyed to main shaft 212 (Fig. 5). One of the twin pulleys |44 (Fig. 4) is coupled to one of the twin pulleys 66 by means of the belt 16 to drive the belt 64 which in turn drives the driving head 54 which actuates guide bar 19 as hereinafter described. Similarly, one of the twin pulleys 244 (Fig. 5) is coupled to one of the twin pulleys 266 by means of the belt 210 to drive the belt 65 which in turn drives the driving head 55 which actuates guide bar 80 as hereinafter descr1bed. For convenience of operation the driving heads 54 and 55 may be arranged at diagonally opposite corners of the twisting frame. Each toothed gear 58 and 59 is fitted with a stud 13 or 14 (Fig. 4), which is set between the center and the circumference of the gear. One end of each adjustable connecting rod 15 or'16 1s slotted to fit over one of the studs 13 or 14, while the opposite bent end of each rod is suitably pivotally connected at 11 or 18 to one of the guide bars 19 or 86 which are slidably supported between the upper end castings 25, to oscillate lengthwise of the twisting frame relative to their associated upper die carriers 8| and 82. lhe connecting rods 15, 15a and 16, 16a are made 1n two pieces'which are relatively movable to effect changes in length adjustment by means of slots 15e, 16o, and the nuts and bolts 15b, 16h.

As best shown in Fig. 9, each guide bar 19 or 8|), is provided with a series of sets of elongated slotted openings 83, 84 and 85. 'The number of slotted openings 83 to 85, in each set of the series will depend upon the number of paper ribbons which are to alternately constitute the covering ribbons of the twisted thread (Fig. 8). Thus if two covering ribbons are used, each set of openings mayv conveniently consist of three slotted openings. It should be understood however that the number of slotted openings in each set may vary dependent upon the number of paper ribbons to be used as the covering ribbons. The slotted openings 83 and 85 which extend across the guide bar 19 to receive the covering ribbons, are separated by the slotted opening 84 extending lengthwise of the guide `bar to accommodate the core or stuffer ribbon. The length of the slot 84 and the spacing between the slots 83 and 85 may vary according to the extent of relative movement ofthe guide bar 19 or 88 with respect to its upper die carrier 8| or 82 (Fig. 10). Each slotted opening 83, 84 and 85 is large enough to freely accommodate a paper ribbon. The outer edges of the transverse openings 83 and85 may be prolonged as indicated at 88 and 81 to curl the covering ribbons as the curling opening 86 or 81 moves towards'the die 89 in the die carrier 8| (Fig. 10).

The metal wall or web 88 which separates the slotted opening 84 from the slotted openings 83 and 85 is preferably made very narrow in width thus bringing the covering ribbons closer to the die 89 (Fig. 10) through which the stuffer ribbon is drawn and twisted.

The die carriers 8i and 82 are also provided with a series of sets of openings 89, 98 and 9| (Fig. The number of openings 89 to 9| in each set of the series may equal the number of slotted openings 83 to 85 in each set of openings in the guide bar 19 and 88. The opening 89 conforms substantially to the shape of a cross section of the twisted thread which is generally circular or substantially so. To protect the paper ribbon against injury a porcelain bushing or tubular insert 92 may be fitted into the opening 89. When porcelain inserts are used the opening 89 may be threaded to receive the male threaded stem of the porcelain bushing. The tubular inserts 92 are removable and may be quickly renewed when damaged cr worn. This arrangement is very satisfactory because it increases the useful life of the die carriers indefinitely Ainsofar as erosion clue to abrasion occasioned by the passage of the twisting stuiier ribbon is concerned.

The shape of eachv of the apertures or openings 98 and 9| may be substantially as indicated in Fig. l0. Each opening as shown is substantially square on three sides, but tapers as it approaches the die 89 to form a rounded point 93 or 98 which cooperates to fold and open the covering ribbons 95 and 96 as the slotted openings 83 and 85 (Figs. 12 and 13) move towards and away from the die 89, of the die carrier 8|.

The guide bars 19 and 80 are longitudinally slidably mounted upon their associated upper die carriers 8|, and 82 so that each set of elongated openings 83 to 85 in the guide bar 19 is in cooperative registry with its corresponding die 89 and the apertures 98 and 9| in the die carrier 8| (compare Figs. 4, 6 and 11). The paper ribbons 95, 38 and 96 of the rolls or cuts 88, 3G and 45 are separately threaded through the slotted openings 83, 84 and 86 respectively, in the guide bar 19, through the corresponding aperture 98, die 89 and aperture 9| in the upper die carrier 8|, the ribbons 95, 38 andf96 are then collectively threaded through the lower die 23 which is disposed in vertical alignment beneath the porcelain bushing 92, and nally enter the thread twisting mechanism or spinner head 91 (Figs. 1 and 6).

The spinner 91 (Figs. 6 and '1) for twisting the ribbons into the finished thread., for drawing the finished thread, and for winding it upon the bobbin or spool, may for convenience of description be divided into two parts, the twisting-winding mechanism and the drawing mechanism or capstan assembly.

The twisting and winding mechanism or spinner 91 (Figs. 6 and 7) includes the hollow top spindle 98 which is attached to the hub of the upper capstan bar 99, and the bottom spindle |80 which is attached to the hub of the lower capstan bar IOI. The hollow legs |02 are also attached to the opposite ends of the lower capstan bar |8|. The vertical webs |83 join the upper capstan bar 99 to the lower capstan bar I8I, so that the top spindle 98 and the bottom spindle |08 which are respectively journalled in the die shelf 22 and the cupped bearing |84 attached to the fixed frame |05, revolve in unison about a vertical axis. AThe spindles and capstan bars are revolved bythe top pulley |86 which may be secured to the top spindle in any suitable way, preferably by a female and a male threaded connection supplemented by the set screw |46 (Fig. 6).

The capstan assembly comprises the flyer top or gear cover |01, the bottom pulley |88 which is press tted on the hub |09 of the gear cover, and a central gear ||0 which is secured within the gear cover in axial alignment with the hub |09. The capstan assembly is mounted to rotate freely about the top spindle, 98. The capstan proper includes two spindles I|| which are journalled in the upper and lower capstan bars 99 and |8| and project upwards through the upper capstan bar to receive and mount the spindle gears I|2| |'2 which mesh with the central gear I8 of gear cover |81. The grooved pulleys H3 are pinned at ||4 to the spindles so that when the bottom pulley |08 revolves the capstan assembly about the top spindle 98 of the spinner, the central gear ||8 revolves both spindle gears |2 in the same direction to rotate their respective grooved pulleys I i3. The pulleys II3 are provided with a series of annular grooves'which are of sufficient depth to accommodate the twisted thread. The fibre pulleys |I5 are rotatably mounted upon the vertical webs |83 by means of the spindle screws II8. The pulleys H5 which are preferably made of bre or the like, are grooved to receive the twisted thread Ill, which is drawn through the axial duct formed in the tubular top spindle 98, through the hubs of the gear cover |81 and of the central gear |I8, and around one of the fibre pulleys I I5 by the rotary movement of the grooved pulleys I|3 around whose annular grooves the finished thread I|1 is spirally wound. The nished thread passes oi the bottom groove of one of the grooved pulleys I I3 into one of the hollow legs |82, thence around the bobbin I8 which rests upon the builder bar I I9 and is free to turn on the bottom spindle |80, about a vertical axis.

The friction between the bottom of the bobbin I8 and the builder bar I I9 upon which it stands causes the bobbin to turn more slowly than the spinner 91 and its hollow legs |02, thus drawing the finished thread |I1 taut around the bobbin The spinners 91 to 91:1,F on the front side |05 of the twisting frame, and the spinners 291 to 291.1' on the rear side 285 of the twisting frame (Figs. 3 to 5) are driven from their respective main drive shafts 12 and 212 in the following manner: Keyed to the main drive shaft 12 are a series of grooved' pulleys |2I (Fig. 4) through to I2I (Fig. 5). Similarly, a series of grooved pulleys 22| to 22 In: are keyed to the main drive shaft 212. The grooved pulley I2I keyed to shaft 12, and thegrooved pulley 22| keyed to the shaft 212 are arranged in staggered relation to receive their associated endless belts |20 and 228 which may be of cotton rope. The other grooved pulleys of the |2I series which are keyed to the shaft 212 are likewise paired in staggered relation to receive their associated endless belts |28, 220, etc. Each belt |20, 220, etc., is independently tensioned and controlled by means of a separate tension pulley |22, 222 and its associated counterweight Idl, 227, etc.

Extending for the full length of the twisting framel and suitably supported by the lower end castings 2|, 2|a, etc., are a pair of longitudinally spaced spindle carrier bars |56, |53 (Fig. 3), from which two separate series of spindles |56 and |55 depend in spaced relation, there being one spindle |56 to |502 for each spinner 97 to 97x, and one spindle |55 to |551: for each spinner 291 to 297:1: (Figs. 4 and 5).

A pulley bracket |58 is mounted to swing freely upon each spindle |56, and the spindle of eachY tension pulley |22 is journalled between the bearing provided by its pulley bracket |58 and its individual releasing rod |52. Each releasing rod $66 is slidably supported through a slotted opening formed in the die shelf 22. A cotter pin |62 retains the pulley bracket |58 upon its spindle |56. Similarly, a Cotter pin ld retains the pulley spindle attached to its releasing rod |60. The lower end of the pulley spindle which extends ben low bracket |56, contains a hole |56 through which one end oi the cable U38 may be suitably anchored. The cable |08 passes over a free pulley |25 which is attached to the counterweight itl. The pulley |29 is mounted to rotate freely upon the common shaft itl which extends for the entire length of the twisting frame.

The counterweight lill normally tends to tension the cable |48 to swing the bracket |58 about the spindle |56, thus tending to pull the tension pulley |22 away from the pulleys |05 and |08 of the spinner 97|, When the releasing rod H50 is pulled outwards through the slotted opening in the front edge oi the die shelf 22, tension pulley |22 swings towards the pulleys v|06 and |08 thus drawing up cable |48 toliit counterweight |67.

'Upon the rear side 205 of the twisting frame a pulley bracket |57 is mounted to swing freely upon a spindle |55, and the spindle of the tension pulley 222 is journalled between the bearings provided by the pulley bracket |57 and the releasing rod |59 which is slidably supported through a slotted opening in the die shelf 22a. Cotter pin il retains the pulley bracket |l upon the spindle |55, and cotter pin |53 retains the pulley spindle attached to its releasing rod |55. The lower end of the spindle of pulley 222 which extends below the pulley bracket |57, contains a hole |55 through which one end of the cable 248 may be suitably anchored, The cable 2li8 passes over a free pulley 22S and is attached to its associated counterweight 241. The pulley 22S .is also mounted to rotate freely on the common shaft |61. The counterweight 241 normally tends to tension the cable 248 to swing the bracket |5| about the spindle |55, thus tending to pull the tension pulley 222 away [rom the pulleys 206 and 208 of the spinner 29|. When the releasing rod |59 is pulled outwards through the slotted opening in the front edge oi the die shelf 22a, tension pulley 222 swings towards the pulleys 206 and 208 thus drawing up cable 268 to lift counterweight 241.

Each belt to |2033, and 220 to 220.12, is connected in a similar manner to driveits associated spinner 9|, 29T, etc., so that the description of one of these belt connections applies to all ol them. For example, the belt |20 (Figs. 3 and 4) passes around its grooved pulley I2I keyed to main drive shaft l2, then around top pulley |06 of its associated spinner 91, then around the tension pulley |22 and bottom pulley |08, and back to grooved' pulley |2|, thus transmitting motion from main drive shaft 72. to drive the spinner 97. When the releasing rod |60 is pulled outwards, tension is released from the belt which may be removed from grooved pulley 82| manually, to shut down spinner 91 without interfering with the continued operation -of any other spinner inthe twisting frame.

Thus the spinner 97 is operated by one endless belt |20 which drives the top pulley |06 to spin the capstan bars 99 and i0! and to twist and wind the finished thread ||`l aroundthe bobbin H8 and also'drives the bottom pulley |50 to rotate the grooved pulleys ||3||3 thus drawing the finished thread lll by the capstan motion through the spinner @l and feeding it into the hollow leg |02.

The builder bar H9 is common to a number of bobbins. In dual operation one builder bar ||9 may be common to all bobbins disposed along one side |05 of the twisting frame, and another builder bar 2|9 may be common to all bobbins disposed along the opposite side 205 of the frame (Fig. 3). To wind the finished thread l |'l at each position evenly upon its associated bobbin, the bobbins must be raised and lowered upon their associated bottom spindles |06 to move bobbins relative to the free end of the hollow legs |02 of the capstan unit. When the builder bar is supporting a series of bobbins, to lift the dead weight represented by the builder bar and its associated row of bobbins, may require a substantial amount of power. By

counterbalancing the weight of the builder bar and its associated row of bobbins with a suitable counterweight, a relatively negligible amount of poweris required to initiate the movement of either builder bar lig or 2N.

Referring to Fig. 3, the builder bars H9 and 2id are respectively provided at suitably spaced intervals with lugs or ears |23, 223 for receiving one end of one of the chain cables |2d or 224 which pass upwards and around one of the free pulleys |25 or 225 which are suitably mounted on the twisting frame, and then downwards and are wound around and anchored to one of the grooved pulleys |20 or 226 which are keyed to the shafts |30 and 230. The counterweights |27 and 227 are suspended from suitable chain ca.- bles |28 and 228 which are wound around and anchored to the grooved pulleys |250: and 22611 which are also keyed to the shafts |30 and 230. The rack wheels itl and 23| are also keyed to the shafts |30 and 230 respectively. Thus when the shafts |30 and 230 are rocked in one direction under control of their associated rack wheels |3| or 23| one of the chain cables |22 or 224 is wound around its grooved pulley |26 or 226 to raise its associated builder .bar H0 or 2|9, and rthe other chain cable |28 or 228 is unwound from its grooved pulley |26a or 22011 to lower its associated counterweight |21 or 221. When the shafts |30 and 230 are rotated under control of their associated rack wheels |3| and 23| in the opposite direction, the chain cables |26 and 222 are unwound from their grooved pulleys |25 or 226 to lower the builder bars while the chain cables |28 and 228 are wound around their associated grooved pulleys |26a and 226a to raise their counterweights |21 and 221. Thus by designing the counterweights |21 and 22'l so that they counterbalance the builder bars ||9 and 2|9 and their bobbin load, a relatively small amount of power applied to either of the shafts |30 and 230 will rock said shafts in one direction to lower builder bars H0 and 2|9 and their load of bobbins and simultaneously wind up the counterweights |21 and 221, or in the opposite direction to lower the counterweights |21 and 221 and simultaneously lift the builder bars ||9 and 2| 9 and their load of bobbins ||8 and 2|8.

The rack wheelsy |3| and 23| mesh with the sprocket gears |32 and 232 which are keyed to the swing shafts |33 and 233 respectively which are indirectly driven from the main drive shafts 12 and 212 as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the shafts |30 and 230 which extend lengthwise from end to end of the twisting frame are journalled upon the pedestal 20 in any suitable manner. Since shafts |30 and 230- and their respective swing shafts |33 and 233 are constructed alike and function in the same manner, only one of these assemblies, for example shaft assembly |30-|33 and its associated parts, which operate the front side |05 of the twisting frame, need be described in detail, it being understood that shaft assembly 230-233 and its associated parts which operate the rear side 205 of the twisting frame are constructed and function in like manner.

A cross brace |34 is attached to each of the lower end castings 2| (one of which is shown in Fig. 2) at opposite ends of the pedestal 20 of the twisting frame. A pillow block |49 is bolted by the bolts |50 to the cross brace |34 at the near end of the twisting frame, and a pillow block (not shown) but similar to the pillow block 25| shown in Fig. 2, is bolted to a cross brace (similar to the cross brace |34 of Fig. 2) at the far end of the twisting frame in alignment with pillow block |49. The shaft |30 is journallecl in the pillow block |49 and in its aligned pillow block (not shown). Each intermediate casting 2|a (Fig. 3) includes a cross brace |36 whereon the shaft 30 is provided with an intermediate supporting journal.

Adjacent the pillow block |49, the end of the shaft |30 is reduced in diameter to form an axle whereon the toothed pulley (or combined pillow and toothed wheel) |43 (Figs. 1 and 2) is independently rotatable bei-ng driven from pulley |44a of main drive shaft 12, by means of the belt |45;

through the raceway The swing shaft |33 is also journalled at its l near end in the pillow block |49, and at its opposite end (Fig. 3) swing shaft |33 is alternately supported either in a bearing block |68 sldably supported in the elongated slot |31 formed in bracket |35, or by a sprocket gear |32 (which is keyed to swing shaft |33) in mesh with the pins |38 of the rack wheel |3|, depending upon the radial position of the sprocket gear |32 relative to the rack wheel |3|. A reduction gear |69 (Fig. 2) is keyed to the near end of the swing shaft |33. Reduction gear |69 meshes with the gear teeth of the toothed pulley |43, so that when the toothed pulley |43 driven by belt |45 rotates, it in turn rotates reduction gear |69 to drive swing shaft |33 and its sprocket gear |32 at a reduced speed to operate rack wheel |3|.

The bracket |35 is provided with an elongated slot |31 in which the bearing block |68, which carries the end of the swingingshaft |33 and its sprocket gear |32, rides up and down, thus transferring the bearing for the swing shaft |33 from the bottom of the elongated slot |31 to the inside rim of the rack wheel pins |38 and back again, each time the rack wheel 3| whosepins |38 mesh with the sprocket gear |32, is rocked by the rotation of said sprocket gear to one or' the other of its extreme positions.

The pins |38 of the rack wheel |3| are spaced 10 to mesh with the teeth of the sprocket gear |32, so that while the swing shaft |33 and its associated sprocket gear |32 revolves continuously in one direction, its associated rack wheel |3| ls turned by the sprocket gear |32 until the free end of the swing shaft |33 engages the concave edge of one of the reversing shoes |39 or |40, whereupon the free end of swing shaft |33 is deflected through one of the raceways |4|, |42, from the inner to the outer rim (or vice versa) of the rack wheel |3|. The elongated slot |31 allows the bea-ring block |68 which supports the free end of swing shaft |33 the necessary freedom to rise or fall in its slotted bracket |35, thus allowing the free end of the swing shaft I 33 to travel inwards or outwards through the raceways |4| and |42.

For example assume that the rack wheel 3| a'nd sprocket gear |32 are in the position shown in Fig. 3 and that the swing shaft |33 is rotating clockwise. The sprocket gear |32 will be resting upon and in mesh with the pins |38 of the rack Wheel |3|, hence swing shaft |33 will be raked towards the upper end of the elongated slot |31. Since the sprocket gear |32 is in mesh with the inner face of the pins |38 of rack wheel |3|, shaft |30 will rock in a clockwise direction until the reversing shoe |39 engages the free end of swing shaft |33 and guides it radially outwards and downwards through the raceway |42 thus moving the bearing block |68 downwards in the elongated slot |31 of swing bracket |35.

The shaft |33 moves .sprocket gear |32 aroundl the last pin |38 of rack wheel |3| until the sprocket gear 32 engages the inner edge of the said pin thus causing the rack wheel |3| to reverse its direction of rotation and rock shaft |30 counterclockwise until the edge of reversing shoe |40 engages the free end of the swing shaft |33 and guides it radially inwards and upwards |4| to lift the bearing block |68 in the elongated slot |31. Swing shaft |33 again carries sprocket gear |32 around the last pin |38 of the rack wheel |3| until the sprocket gear engages the inner edge of said pin thus causing the rack wheel |3| to again reverse its direction of rotation and rock shaft |30 clockwise until it again passes through the position shown in Fig. 3, and the cycle of operations is repeated. The raceways 4| and |42 accordingly allow the necessary freedom to the free end of swing shaft |33 to allow the sprocket gear |32 to swing up and down and around the teeth |38 of rack Iwheel |3| to adapt itself .to the different positions required to effect a reversal in direction of the rocking .motion of the rack wheel, and swing its bearing from the bottom of the elongated slot 31 to the inner face of the teeth |38 of the rack wheel |3| and back again.

The rocking motion imparted to the shafts |30 and 230 by the reversing motion of the rack wheels |3| and 23| effects the rise and fall of their associated builder bars ||9 and 2|9 to raise and lower the bobbins ||8 and 2|8 relative to the hollow legs |02 and 202 which revolve around the bobbins to wind up the twisted thread ||1.

Operation The various sets of paper ribbons 95, 38, 96; a, 38a, 96a, etc., of the various sets of rolls or cuts 44, 3B, 45; 36a, 45a; etc., are respectively threaded through the slotted openings 83, 84, 85, in the guide bar 19, and then through aperture 90, die 89 and aperture 9| in the upper die carrier 8|. Each set of ribbons is then threaded ll collectively through the corresponding lower die 23 and hollow spindle 98 (Fig. 6), around one of the fibre pulleys H5, around the grooves in the grooved pulleys ||3, through one of the hollow legs 02, and around the bobbin ||8.

When each set of ribbons in the twisting frame has been similarly threaded, the electric motor or other prime mover is set in motion to operate main drive shafts 12 and 212, thus driving: the grooved pulleys |2| and 22| to drive the rope belts |20, |20a, etc., and 220, 220a, etc., to rotate the spinners 91, 91a, etc., and 291, 291a, etc.; the shafts 60 and 6| to oscillate the guide bars 19 and 80; the swing shafts |33 and 233 to rock the rack wheels |3| and 23| thus raising and lowering the counterbalanced builder bars 9 and 2|9.

The rotary movement of the spinner twists the stuiTer ribbon 38 to form a core, and twists the covering ribbons axially around the said core to form an inner and an outer layer (Figs. 16 and Each time the guide bar 19 or 80 oscillates, it intermittently changes the position of the elongated slotted openings 83 and 85 with respect to the die 89 in the upper die carrier 8| or 82, thus intermittently changing the positions of the covering ribbons 95 and 96 relative to the core or stuffer ribbon 38 (Figs. 14 and 15), thus producing the variegated or intermittently colored twisted thread ||1 (Fig. 8), having sections of finished thread the color of paper ribbon 96, alternating with other sections of finished thread the color of paper ribbon 95. Each time the guide bar 19 or 80 passes through the position shown in Fig. 11, both covering ribbons 95 and 96 are momentarily equidistant from the die 89 in the upper die carrier 8| or 82 and therefore from the stuffer ribbon 38, and during this short interval the covering ribbons 95 and 96 are intertwined to make a relatively short piece of pencil striped thread (Fig. 8). This pencil Y striped section |10 is so'short that it is hardly noticeable and will not affect the eye appearance of a textile fabric wherein the intermittently colored thread ||1 is utilized as a part of the patternlof the woven fabric.

The rotary movement of the gear cover |01 (Fig. 6), operates the grooved pulleys ||3, to draw the thread towards the hollow leg |02, and the rotary movement of the spinner 91 revolves the hollowleg |02 around the bobbin H8, thus winding the finished thread ||1 upon the bobbin ||8 which also turns around the bottom spindle |00. Due to the friction between the face of the bobbin and the builder bar ||9, the bobbin I8 will turn about the bottom spindle |00 more slowly than the hollow leg |02 revolves around the bobbin ||8 hence the finished thread ||1 is wound tightly upon the bobbin.

The rise and fall of the counterbalanced builder l may mount a new cut or roll upon a spare spindle and splice the end of the new ribbon to the end of the old ribbon before the cut runs out. In

this way continuous and uninterrupted operation of the machine is assured.

What is claimed is 1. A twisted paper fibre thread comprising a twisted core, a plurality of ribbons of differently colored paper twisted around said core in two concentric layers, and said ribbons alternating from the inner layer to the outer layer of said thread and back again to expose substantial lengths of each ribbon separately and in succession as the covering layer.

2. A twisted paper fibre thread comprising a central ribbon, said ribbon being twisted to form a continuous core, a plurality of separate paper ribbons twisted` around said core in separate and concentric layers, and each of said ribbons alternately forming an inner layer enclosing a. substantial length of core and then the outer layer or covering of a substantial length of the thread.

3. The method of forming a twisted paper thread which includes the stepof continuously twisting three separate paper ribbons in three separate and concentric layers to complete a substantial vlength of thread, and then reversing the relative positions of the two ribbons which form the intermediate and outer layers while continuously twisting them so that the positions of these two ribbons in said intermediate and outer layers is reversed for a substantial length of the twisted thread.

4. The method of forming a twisted paper thread which includes the step of continuously twisting a stuffer ribbon and a plurality of other ribbons of two diierently colored papers in separate layers around said stuffer ribbon to form a. section of thread having a covering the color of only one of said differently colored papers for a substantial length thereof, and then reversing the positions of said other ribbons relative to the stufler ribbon and to each other while turning them continuously as before to form the succeeding section of thread having a cover the color of the other differently colored paper only for a substantial length of thread.

' 5. The method of forming a twisted paper thread which comprises continuously twisting a plurality of ribbons of differently colored paper around a continuously twisting core at different radial distances therefrom, and alternately reversing the radial distances between said ribbons of differently colored paper and said core without interrupting any of said twisting motions.

6. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising a lguide bar having slotted openings formed therein through which said ribbons may be separately threaded, a die disposed beneath said guide bar through which said formed thread is adapted to be drawn, and said guide bar being mounted to reciprocate relative to said die to displace certain of said drawn ribbons laterally with respect to another ribbon.

'1. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising means for continuously separating and guiding each of said ribbons towards a common die, and means operable to automatically and intermittently move said separating and guiding means laterally relative to said common die to variously and intermittently displace certain of said drawn ribbons relative to each other and to the direction of movement of the formed thread.

8. A machine for twisting paper ribbons together to form a twisted paper thread, comprising a die, means for continuously twisting the paper ribbons together and drawing them through said die in the form of a finished thread, means for continuously separating each of the ribbons and for guiding themrtowards the die, said separating means being laterally slidable back and forth relative to said die to variously displace certain of said ribbons with respect to another ribbon, and means automatically operableto impart back and forth movement to said guiding means.

9. A machine for twisting ribbon paper into thread, comprising mechanism for twisting a series of paper ribbons together to form the finished thread, means for separating each paper ribbon in the series and for continuously guiding them towards the twisting mechanism, and an eccentric operable to automatically rock said separating means back and forth across said twisting mechanism to variously displace at least two ribbons in the series with respect to a third ribbon.

10. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while twisting them together, comprising an upper guide barv having slotted openings' formed therein through which said ribbons may be separately threaded, a lower guide bar having openings formed therein cooperating with said openings formed therein through which said ribbons may be separately threaded, a lower guide bar having groups of openings formed therein, each of the `openings in the lower guide bar cooperating with one of said slotted openings to threadably receive its associated ribbon, said upper guide bar being mounted to reciprocate relative to said lower guide bar to displace certain of the drawn ribbons in each group laterally with respect to another ribbon of the same group, and means for reciprocating the upper guide bar. 12. A machine for vmaking paper thread by drawing paper ribbonsv while twisting 'them together, comprising two bars disposed one above the other, each of said bars having openings formed therein through which said paper ribbons may be separately threaded, each opening consti tuting means for guiding the paper ribbon threaded therethrough, one of said bars being mounted to reciprocate relative to the other bar to displace `certain of said drawn ribbons laterally with respect to a third ribbon, and means for reciprocating said bar. l

13. -A machine for simultaneously making a plurality of separate threads by drawing ribbons while twisting them in groups comprising two bars disposed one above the other, each of said bars having a plurality of groups of openings formed therein through which said ribbons may be separately threaded, said openings constituting means for independently guiding the ribbon threaded therethrough, and one of said bars being mounted to reciprocate relative to the other bar to displace certain'oi the drawn ribbons in each group laterally with respect to another ribbon of' the same group.

14. A machine for making a number of separate threads simultaneously by drawing ribbons while twisting them in groups comprising two bars disposed one above the other, each of said bars having a plurality of groups of openings formed therein through which said ribbons may be separately threaded, said openings constituting means threaded therethrough, one of said bars being mounted to reciprocate relative to the other to displace certain of the drawn ribbons in each group laterally with respect to a third ribbon of the same group, and means for reciprocating said bar` 15. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising a common die through which the ribbons are simultaneously drawn, a plate through which said ribbons are fed, said plate being movable back and forth crosswise relative to said common die, one of said ribbons feeding through said plate substantially in axial alignment with said common die unaffected by the crosswise movement of the plate, the crosswise movement of the plate-moving the remaining ribbons laterally relative to said axially aligned ribbon, and means for automatically effecting the back and forth movement of said plate.

16. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising a common die through which the ribbons may be simultaneously drawn, a plate through which said ribbons feed towards said common die, one of said ribbons passing through said plate substantially in axial alignment with said common die, and means for moving the remaining ribbons back and forth in said plate to vary their feeding positions relative to said common die.

1'7. A machine for making thread by drawing ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising a common die through which the ribbons may be simultaneously drawn, a plate through which said ribbons feed freely towards said common die, one of said ribbons feeding through said plate substantially in axial alignment with said common die, and means automatically operable to move the remaining ribbons back and forth in said plate to vary their feeding positions relative to said common die.

18. A machine for making thread by drawing three or more ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, a plate through which said ribbons are drawn in spaced relation to each other, one of said ribbons being positioned between said other ribbons, a common die through which the formed thread is drawn, and said plate being movable back and forth above said corr'- mon die to variously move said other ribbons with respect to said between-positioned ribbon.

19. A machine for making thread by drawing three or more ribbons while simultaneously twisting them together, comprising a common die through which said twisted thread is drawn, a plate, said ribbons feeding through said plate in parallel spaced relation to each other, one of said ribbons being positioned intermediate said other ribbons, said plate being movable back and forth above said common die to vary the positions of said other ribbons with respect to the intermediate ribbon, and means for automatically initiating the back and forth movement of said plate.

ERNEST E. LAMBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of'record in th(V flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

